Aberdeen reminiscences (mostly shops)

[scz4]

wcel said:

8bit said:

anyone know what the Slater's Menswear building housed originally?

It used to be the SMT garage, and Jacksons Garage before that, built in mid 1930's

I remember it being the Vauxhall garage, with the big doors and ramps up and down to the servicing area.

[Shinysideup]

scz4 said:

I remember it being the Vauxhall garage, with the big doors and ramps up and down to the servicing area.

Yeah, SVL during the 90s. One of the dealerships i used to drop by as a kid for Vauxhall brochures and stickers

[West17]

Ah yes Amadeus. What a place, good times were had!

Was reminiscing about my time in Aberdeen after posting last night. Used to leave the Uni after lectures and head back into town, a few pints in the Bobbin (is that still there?) and then the Union.

O’Neils was usually good craic and there was a place on Windmill street/ hill that was often frequented. Think it was a nightclub but may have just been a pub with music.

I think it was a great place to be a student, not too big, two decent Unis thus lots of students and lots of mid week drink offers!!

Still managed to fit some study in around it all as well...

[tonyg58]

wcel said:

It used to be the SMT garage, and Jacksons Garage before that, built in mid 1930's

Yes - actually had a ramp like your kid's toy garage that went to the car park on the roof.

[8bit]

tonyg58 said:

wcel said:

It used to be the SMT garage, and Jacksons Garage before that, built in mid 1930's

Yes - actually had a ramp like your kid's toy garage that went to the car park on the roof.

Thanks all, that must have been quite something to see! Quick Google reveals nothing really except some photos of the current Slaters and Oddbins which have been converted to black and white and had some fake film grain applied but I'll dig around later. It's one of those Aberdeen buildings that I keep thinking would look fantastic if someone would just shell out to have the facade cleaned up.

[downthepub]

scz4 said:

wcel said:

8bit said:

anyone know what the Slater's Menswear building housed originally?

It used to be the SMT garage, and Jacksons Garage before that, built in mid 1930's

I remember it being the Vauxhall garage, with the big doors and ramps up and down to the servicing area.

Service department was round on Dee Street, and parts was across the road in what is now Paramount.. They kept demonstrators and stock on the first floor and roof. My old man worked there in the 80s and I'd frequently wander up from school for a lift home. Clearly remember walking up to the roof on the 1st August when he got his H-reg Astra GTE demo in white (with white alloys, obvs).

[tonyg58]

8bit said:

Thanks all, that must have been quite something to see! Quick Google reveals nothing really except some photos of the current Slaters and Oddbins which have been converted to black and white and had some fake film grain applied but I'll dig around later. It's one of those Aberdeen buildings that I keep thinking would look fantastic if someone would just shell out to have the facade cleaned up.

If you look in Google maps/photo you can still see the roof car park.
Looks like access ramp has been covered over.

[matchmaker]

There were two Pizzalands on Union Street, but does anyone remember Pastaland?

[wcel]

matchmaker said:

There were two Pizzalands on Union Street, but does anyone remember Pastaland?

No but you have reminded of the Pancake House that used to be on the corner of Union St and Summer St (now Pizza Express I think). I got locked in their toilets when I was a wee kid and been scarred ever since

[Bisom]

Semi hemi said:

Had a another name before Barneys, before they split the top and bottom levels, seem to remember an Alpine theme in there all pine ballustrades and a pic Matterhorn on the wall.

How about one of the 1st wine bars in town. The Courtyard in/next to the Cally hotel. one of the 1st place you could take the "ankle biters" in,
Aberdeens first taste of continental drinking habits

Edited by Semi hemi on Tuesday 11th August 13:16

[Bisom]

It was called " The Lodge" I used to go there '78-79.

[Busakara]

Naso Grande said:

The 30 Footers were one of the best bands ever to appear out of Aberdeen. Truly original, great players & hooky tunes.

Does anyone remember Bus Co.? They had Steve Harvey & Graham Edwards who both went on to be succesful session players (Nick Heyward, Go West). Edwards is now part of the Grammy nominated song writing team called The Matrix who co-wrote hits for Avril Lavigne, Liz Phair & Jason Mraz.

Sadly Neil Cairney from the 30 Footers passed away last year, before he died he asked musicians he knew to rework some of their tracks, the album is called 30 Footers revisited. I know Steve and Graham very well.

[Naso Grande]

A close friend mentioned I'd been quoted in this thread. I'd heard about Neil's sad passing and it sounds like his life was celebrated well. I was introduced to the 30 Footers by Ross Donald from R&B Music and did FOH sound for them for one gig at the old Amatola Hotel. I learned a lot from that gig but regret not having enough confidence to add some treatments to enhance the sound which meant it ended up sounding very dry. THIS was not how they would've wanted it for sure based on the material on YouTube.

I've just recently bought a book by Hugh Falconer which features Aberdeen bands through the 60's, 70's and 80's. Some great memories in there like The Facells (The Fossels), ManRay and the Squibs. Also has this photo of Bus Co.

[Kiltie]

Naso Grande said:

I've just recently bought a book by Hugh Falconer which features Aberdeen bands through the 60's, 70's and 80's.

Thanks for that, I wasn't aware of this book.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aberdeen-North-East-Bands...